Canadian Exports: Complications from injury permanently sideline former Canadian int'l Josh Simpson

Three years after he suffered a devastating leg injury, Josh Simpson’s playing career is officially over.

In a story published by Swiss site Der Bund Simpson reveals that he still hasn’t fully recovered from breaking his left fibula and tibia, an injury suffered on May 21, 2012 while playing for BSC Young Boys in the Swiss Super League.

The 32-year-old native of Burnaby, BC had joined the Bern-based club earlier that year, after stints with Millwall (England), FC Kaiserslautern (Germany) and Manisaspor (Turkey). The left winger had also racked up 43 appearances (with four goals) for the Canadian national team, and was set to play a key role for Les Rouges in their attempt to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

His recovery—originally pegged at three months—was beset by complications. By December 2013, he still hadn’t returned to the field, but told the Victoria Times-Colonist that he would “absolutely” be ready to rejoin the Canadian team in time for 2018 World Cup qualifying.

But as reported by Der Bund, Simpson’s attempted comeback was cut short by multiple setbacks along the road to recovery. Despite Simpson’s desire to get back on the field—a desire that the attack-minded midfielder regularly demonstrated when representing his country—it ultimately was not to be.

While Simpson appears to have settled into a new life with his family in Switzerland, the Der Bund story indicates that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of pursuing a future role as a manager in North America.